4 Major Plot Holes in the "Organized Crime Rings Are Closing Walgreens!" Narrative

[Nevilledog]

https://thecolumn.substack.com/p/4-major-plot-holes-in-the-organized

Based on the torrent of outrage the last time I wrote about The Walgreens Shoplifting Story—in the San Francisco Chronicle, no less—I can honestly say that the story has morphed from trope, a narrative, a viral ideological thingamajig into a full-blown religious conviction. No other subject I’ve written about solicits as much personal offense, vitriol, or clouded thinking. That Walgreens stores are closing only, or at least largely, due to “organized shoplifting” rings isn’t just a conventional wisdom, its dogma.

As such, I write this knowing full well the response it will invariably unleash. And if you don’t think someone from Chicago can comment on San Francisco (an inscrutable and exotic land I cannot possibly understand, many commenters have told me) by all means click the exit button on your browser. But if you’re someone with an open mind who is willing to consider that the whole narrative seems a little pat and overblown, please read on.

First, it’s important to establish the stakes because these have been entirely omitted from all the reporting on the topic.

Regardless of what one thinks Walgreens’ business logic is for the closings, one cannot deny the story—either by design or incident—has become a full blown reactionary meme with a specific political context. As Steven Keehner documented at FAIR in July, a single viral video of shoplifting at Walgreens solicited over 300 articles nationwide, not including write-ups in South Africa, Mexico, UK, and South Korea. If you’re wondering this is, dollar for dollar, 474,183% more coverage than the one (1) mainstream media article about Walgreens admitting it stole $4.5 million from its employees over several years. The five Walgreens closings announced last week garnered coverage in The New York Times, The Washington Post, ABC News, CBS News, Yahoo News (which ran three stories), USA Today, and Bloomberg. There were reports about the closings on Local TV news stations in Rockford, Ill., Miami, Albany, Chicago, Dayton, Ohio and Jacksonville, Fla. Sinclair Broadcast Group, a right-wing media conglomerate that owns TV networks, ran an article about it that was put on the front page of hundreds of “local” new sites. Walgreens closings have been heavily featured on Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity and Fox and Friends.

*snip*

[TreasonousBastard]

1. My father had a touch of the racist in him, which is part of why he...

told me about a chain drug store in Harlem that was plagued by schoolkids invading the place during lunch hour and grabbing every shiny thing not nailed down.

He knew this because he was claims manager for a large insurance company that paid the resulting claims.

So why didn't they just put everything behind glass?

Because sales would go down to almost nothing. As it was, the store squeaked out a profit even with the locust hordes.

That was back in rhe 60s and now it's a good excuse to shut down underperforming stores in "bad" neighborhoods.

[stillcool]

2. interesting article...

interesting site. Thanks! Such tired stereotypes have been so bought into, no questions asked.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

3. K&R. Adam Johnson has done really good work on this topic.

[niyad]

4. Thank you for this most informative article. Twice within the last two wees, I have

herd about the "organized shoplifting" story. I am glad to have the relevant information.

[cinematicdiversions]

5. This has been brewing for years they've been shutting down stores in Oakland

Throughout the Bay area. Not Just Morgan's of course.

I understand this has been captured and warped by the right wind media. But the reality is still a huge problem and it's ridiculous that San Francisco area has this problem. The fact that story is spreading and writing media doesn't change this.

[leftyladyfrommo]

6. Wouldn't it be cheaper to hire guards?

Or would that not work? Guards can be overwhelmed .